ATRIAL FLUTTER IN NEWBORN: CASE REPORT
Keywords:
Cardiac arrhythmia, Atrial flutter, Atrial fibrillation, Newborn, MedicineAbstract
Atrial flutter is defined as a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia that originates from a macro reentrant circuit most often in the right atrium, generating continuous atrial electrical activity. Cardiac arrhythmias are found in 2% of fetuses. Atrial flutter is the second most common cause, occurring in one-third to one-fifth of cases. It is rare but considered a serious fetal heart rhythm disorder. Although first-line therapy is pharmacological, synchronized electrical cardioversion is considered the gold standard. This study consists of a case report that describes an uneventful pregnancy until the 36th week, when fetal tachycardia was diagnosed and the concomitant need for pregnancy termination by cesarean section. After premature birth, a diagnosis of atrial flutter was maintained in the first 24 hours of life with reversal by electrical cardioversion following diagnosis. Early screening and diagnosis are recommended to avoid complications such as prematurity, pulmonary congestion, cardiomegaly, reduced left ventricular function and enlarged right cavities.
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